Crime

Five members of drugs gang jailed for more than 30 years

Published

11 months ago

January 30, 2024

MEMBERS of an organised crime group (OCG) who supplied class A and class B drugs across Gwent, South Wales and Gloucestershire have received prison sentences totalling more than 30 years.

Between February and October 2021, we carried out enforcement activities throughout the south of Monmouthshire which led to the seizure of drugs, cash and mobile phones.

The phones seized not only showed their owners’ significant involvement in the supply of drugs, it also showed all those who worked with them. Over the two-year long investigation, we carried out eight warrants and more than £50,000 worth of class A and B drugs were seized, along with over £40,000 of cash. In one warrant alone, £38,000 was found in a money safe disguised as a book.

The below people were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday 26 January for conspiracy to supply a class A drug – cocaine and class B drugs including ketamine, cannabis and amphetamines:

49-year-old Andrew Harris from Cinderford received five years and seven months
47-year-old Helga Boehm from Cinderford received four years and ten months
35-year-old Matthew Nicholas from Newport received eight years and two months
33-year-old Ashley Bollen from Caldicot received eight years and one month
32-year-old Peter Wright from Chepstow received five years for the drug related offences – in addition to this – Wright received an additional six years and nine months for an assault, not connected to this case. These sentences will run consecutively, meaning, his final sentence is 11 years and ten months imprisonment.

All defendants plead guilty at an earlier hearing.

The senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: “We have successfully dismantled a major drugs gang who are now behind bars for their parts in peddling misery across South Wales and Gloucestershire. These men and women were not simply dealing drugs to feed their own addiction, they had made the decision to become involved in the supply of large quantities of harmful drugs to make money for themselves at the expense of others.

“We are committed to creating a hostile environment for serious and organised crime in Gwent. Illegal drugs have no place in society – they cause harm to those that become addicted to them and to their families, friends and the wider communities.

“These sentences send a strong reminder to those involved in drug supply in and around the Gwent area that we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to targeting those who involve themselves in these illegal activities.”

We’re encouraging members of the public to be our eyes and ears – help us disrupt serious organised crime. If something doesn’t feel right, it might not be. Don’t wait, report it.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or it feels a situation could escalate call 999.

For general information you can call 101, or direct message us on social media.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted – anonymously – online or via the phone, on 0800 555 111.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

16 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: